She cited estate privatization as one of the reasons for problems faced by the estate women in the economic sectors. Further, malnutrition is in vogue in the Nuwaraeliya district in addition to overwhelming child abuses. Language issues are another problem faced by the estate labourers. She stressed the fact that it is the responsibility of the state officials to treat all estate workers on equal terms when implementing rules and procedures, irrespective of various differences of the persons. 3. Ms.Roshini Weerasinghe ( apparel industry) Ms.Roshini Weerainghe took part in the Round Table discussion, representing the women engaged in apparel industry. She works in an apparel factory and has joined a nongovernment organization to work for the welfare of the employees in apparel sector. She stated that women working in free trade zones are being treated in a degrading manner and are being subjected to various harassments on the way, in hostels as well as work stations. Further, there is a trend that women who are working for a long time in some factories where chemicals are being used have become infertile. While 62% of women who are working in free trade zones are suffering from anaemia and there are cases of malnutrition as well. She added that the factory workers living in hostels are not receiving government relief when the areas they are living in are affected by the natural calamities. She also drew the attention to the difficulties experienced by them in obtaining the concessionary ‘lactation hour’ allocated to them to feed their infants. Before concluding her submissions, she stated that necessary steps should be taken to ensure job security of the Manpower employees and woman workers employed in free trade who make the biggest contribution to the economy of the country should be entitled to proper recognition. She also stated that since woman workers employed in free trade zones find it difficult to obtain leave to go to their villages to cast their votes, their right to franchise too is being violated. She inquired as to why polling stations could not be established within the free trade zones where they are employed. 4. Ms.M.Laxmi Mariyadas ( Palmirah and coir related productions) Ms.M.Laxmi Mriyadas who is engaged in Palmyra and coir related production was next to air her views at the discussion. She drew the attention to the women affected by the war. She says that women should be encouraged to engage in self-employment. Most of the migratory workers are returning home without due wages and in mental agonies. 8 8